Condor Chick Could Hatch by Wednesday

SAN DIEGO — A California condor chick began the struggle to break out of its eggshell and should emerge as the latest addition to the nearly extinct species by Wednesday, San Diego Wild Animal Park officials said Monday.

A "pip" or dime-sized hole in the shell was detected by condor keepers late Sunday night and signaled the start of the anticipated three-day hatching process, park spokesman Tom Hanscom said.

"If the bird does not show signs of hatching by itself in 72 hours, then we will step in and help it out of its egg," Hanscom said. "We are looking at a hatch sometime Wednesday afternoon or Wednesday evening. It is possible the egg will hatch before the 72-hour mark."

A successful hatch would raise the population of North America's largest land bird to 29.